Chris Claiborne

By Allyson Turner

Leading up to this year's NFL Draft, Southern Cal's Chris Claiborne ranks as the top outside linebacker.

As a 6-foot-3, 245-pound junior this past season, Claiborne won the Butkus Award, which is given to the nation's top college linebacker. He had 107 tackles (77 unassisted), 5 sacks and 6 interceptions.

Claiborne chose to pass up his senior year at USC and make himself eligible for the draft. He is being projected to be a high first-round pick.

 

Even though he left USC early, Chris Claiborne says he will graduate. (Allsport)

To whom in the NFL would you compare yourself?
I think I take a little bit from everybody's game. I hope that I'm a little bit of all the guys that people compare me to. I'd like to take a little piece from everybody's game and put it in mine. In the end, though, I want to be me.

Which player do you most admire?
Marshall Faulk. I've liked him since he was at San Diego State. He's one of my favorite players. It's different because I'm a linebacker, but I definitely like his game and the way he plays.

Where do you see yourself playing in the NFL, outside or inside linebacker?
Wherever I need to play. It doesn't really matter. I've played both.

What happens leading up the draft?
I think it's out of my hands. I don't really worry about it anymore. At first you worry about it, but when it's out of your hands, you just do what you're supposed to do and that's it. It's up to the teams, and whoever doesn't pick you, when you play 'em, show 'em that they should've picked you when they passed on you.

In an ideal world, where would you want to play?
I've always been a Colts fan but I just want to play in the NFL. My biggest goal is to play and be successful.

What is the first thing that you'll buy?
Something for my mom.

Who had the most influence on your game?
Junior Seau or Willie McGinnest. Because they went to USC and wore No. 55, I had to live up to the great expectations they set, for the number alone. That has been my biggest influence.

What did you learn from Paul Hackett?
He's a fine guy. He taught me a lot about being patient, and letting the game come to you. Also, being a team leader. He allowed me to take on that role and play.

Will you get your degree?
Oh yeah. That's definitely gonna be done in the near future.

If you could be a fly on the wall anywhere, where would you want to be?
Vegas. I'd like to see what they do with all that money.

What is your pet peeve?
People that don't know how to drive. When people wait behind slow people and don't pass.

What are you intimidated by?
A wild dog is the only thing that I'd be intimidated by.

Did you ever want to play a different position besides linebacker?
No. I played running back in high school and I got a chance to see that side. I've always loved playing the position that I play.

If you could have anyone over your house for dinner, whom would you invite?
Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Ken Griffey Jr., Michael Jordan and Jim Brown. I might let Dick Butkus come over, depending on how I felt that day.

What is one word that best describes you?
Charismatic.

What is a perfect day?
No stress.